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USF1 adds Lopez to driver lineup

Tue 26th, January 2010

Buenos Aires, Argentina (Sports Network) - The new American-based Formula One team USF1 has named Argentinean Jose Maria Lopez as driver for the upcoming 2010 season.

Argentina President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner made the formal announcement at the Government House in Buenos Aires.

Lopez, 26, will become the 24th Argentine driver to compete in Formula One, but the first since Gaston Mazzacane, who drove for Prost from 2000-01. He previously served as test driver for Renault. After his stint at Renault, Lopez returned to Argentina in 2007 and has since taken three championships, 38 wins and 36 pole positions in his home country.

"This is a truly memorable day for me, my family and the people of Argentina," Lopez said.

Peter Windsor, the former Williams team manager-turned-pit lane reporter for Speed TV's coverage of F1 racing, and Ken Anderson, the former technical director at the Ligier and Onyx teams and open-wheel racecar designer, announced the formation of USF1 in February 2009. USF1 is based in Charlotte, NC, the hub city for most NASCAR teams.

"Securing 'Pechito' Lopez for our debut season has been a goal of ours for a long time," said Windsor, who serves as the team's vice president. "We've been following his career since he dominated the Renault V6 Championship in 2003, and we're thrilled to have him on board as we return America to Formula One. Lopez is a consummate professional and born leader."

USF1 will become the first American-based team on the F1 grid in more than 40 years. The team will make its debut in the March 14 season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.